'K27, rest in peace, my friend'

COEUR d’ALENE — If you didn’t know Coeur d’Alene Police Sgt. Greg Moore before attending his memorial service Saturday, you left feeling as though you did know him, and now a piece of your own heart is gone.

More than 4,000 civilians, law enforcement personnel, first responders, friends and loved ones gathered at Lake City High School to honor Moore, 43, who was shot in the line of duty early last Tuesday morning, and died later that evening. Officers of every rank traveled from areas such as western Washington, southern Idaho, Montana and Canada to attend the hero’s ceremony and pay their respects to their fallen brother.

“It really wasn’t about me or about us or anybody that was here,” said Sgt. Dave Hunsaker of the Boise Police Department. “It was about coming here to pay homage to the sacrifice that Sgt. Moore went down at the foot of freedom last Tuesday. Any sort of comfort that we can offer to his family by being here, we’ll do that.”

Several of Moore’s closest friends and colleagues spoke about their lives with him. Just about every seat was full in the gymnasium, auditorium and cafeteria of the school, where Moore was once a resource officer. Red, white and blue flowers were everywhere, matching the stars and stripes draped over Moore’s casket in the front of the gym. A heart with Moore’s badge number, K27, was displayed near the podium.

Opening remarks were by Pastor Rodney Wright of the Lake City Community Church, who shared the story of how Moore was born before the doctors could deliver him.

“He arrived unexpected and he left unexpected,” Wright said. “But oh, was his life a gift.”

Many spoke of Moore’s character, his dedication as a father and his excellent service in law enforcement. Others described his sense of humor, his ability to love others and his vision to make his community a better place. Heartfelt sadness and grief could be seen in each person’s face and heard in their faltering voices.

“I came to know Greg as a fearless police officer, an outstanding supervisor, a leader of men, a common-sense thinker and a problem solver, and most importantly, I came to know him as my dear, dear friend, and I loved him,” said Coeur d’Alene Police Detective Johann Schmitz.

Schmitz described Moore as fair, never willing to give up on the people he served. He said the words “service, excellence, pride and dedication,” which are embroidered on the patch of the shoulder of each member of the department, serve to remind what each officer stands for, “and they tend to define the character of the men and women who wear the uniform.”

“I know Greg will be remembered well,” Schmitz said. “His actions did so much more than define his character and cement his legacy than any words that could ever be embroidered on a patch.”

Dan Eckles, Moore’s friend of 21 years, shared a tearful remembrance.

“As I spoke to him Tuesday evening at his hospital bedside, I told him he was the first person outside my family that I knew really cared about me as a person and a friend,” Eckles said. “I knew that feeling shortly after I met him. It didn’t take long.”

Eckles, of Sparks, Nev., said he was blessed to have Moore as one of his best friends.

“But who was his? I’m not sure that he could tell you, and ultimately it doesn’t matter,” Eckles said. “When he was with you, he made you feel like his best friend.”

Eckles told a few lighthearted stories of his friendship with Moore, like the time Moore talked him into sneaking peanuts out of a complete stranger’s bag during a Mariners game at the Kingdome.

“I got caught red-handed with my hand in the peanut bag,” he said. “I don’t even like peanuts. I don’t know if I’ve ever heard Greg laugh so hard. It wasn’t loud, but it was that hard, quiet giggle because he was trying not to embarrass all 40,000 people. But that was Greg, always trying to get you.”

Another one of Moore’s close friends, Shawn Shugars of Walla Walla, recounted his many “man-cations” with Moore, who he fondly called “G-Money.”

“For those that didn’t know, Greg loved to play video games with his friends. G-Money was also Greg’s gamertag on XBox,” Shugars said. “The name ‘G-Money’ transitioned from the gamer world to everyday life with his friends. That’s what we called him.”

Shugars explained that “man-cations” are “focused on spending time with our friends, involving antics normally reserved for those much younger.” He, Moore and two other friends have enjoyed “man-cations” for several years, creating memories and traditions that they will remember forever.

“I will however cherish ‘man-cation’ 2015 the most, which we had three weeks ago,” Shugars said in a shaky voice. “All the same antics, just a new year. Who would have thought that this would be our last time together? This was the last time I saw Greg. It was about 11 o’clock in the morning. I can still see it like it was yesterday. The sun was shining, it was a gorgeous morning, and I hugged each one of my friends. All three grown men. Then I watched them load up into a 2011 Toyota Prius, driving back to Coeur d’Alene from College Place, Wash. They got in the car and left. I will never forget that last moment. We hugged and what he always said when he said goodbye was, ‘Take care, buddy. Take care, buddy.’”

Shugars called for every “man-cation” from here on out to be dubbed a “Greg-cation” to keep in line with tradition, and he asked everyone in attendance to yell out “Woo!” with him in honor of the “woo-ing man-cation tradition” that began in 2011.

“Play on, G-Money, play on,” Shugars concluded.

Moore’s ex-wife, Jennifer Brumley, spoke at the request of Moore’s wife, Lindy. Brumley is the mother of Greg’s son, Dylon, 12, as well as a close friend of the family.

“‘Surreal’ is the word that has crossed my lips many times over the last few days,” Brumley said. “Webster defines it as, ‘Marked by the intense, irrational reality of a dream.’ This describes my feelings perfectly. As Lindy and I sat in the emergency room, we both shared that we never imagined Greg would get shot. Nor did we believe he would succumb to the gunshot wound that would leave us alone to raise his children. It just wasn’t possible with everything we knew about Greg.”

Brumley said if Greg had one passion in his life, it was his children.

“Before (his 1-year-old daughter) Gemma, Dylon was the epicenter of Greg’s world,” she said. “He was the most dedicated dad any wife, or ex-wife, could ask for. When Gemma entered this world, Greg was with her at home on all of his days off. I can remember coming over and he would be lying on the couch with her asleep on his chest, or she’d be propped up with pillows and he’d be sitting next to her. She was his baby girl, and he adored her.”

She said Dylon was insistent on playing in his soccer game Saturday morning, just hours before his father’s funeral, with a passion to win.

“I’m so proud of the fact that he wanted to be out there today and play with his team and his daddy was with him,” Brumley said. “He scored the first goal of the game, on a penalty kick ... and then he had the most amazing assist by a header to his buddy who then scored a goal.”

Brumley read words Dylon wrote to honor his dad: “My dad was the best. He would tell me anything, and was always there for me. All the times I was sad or lonely, he would be right by my side to comfort me. Dad would also reassure me that he was OK going to work by telling me he was Batman, because he worked at night, had lots of gadgets, was skilled and charming. Also, wherever we went, he would know someone that was there. I would always wonder how and why he knew those people. Dad’s favorite place to eat was Qdoba. It ended up being my favorite place as well. He was a Boston fan and he has gone to a couple of games, but I know he would have liked to see more. Every day, though, almost like tradition, we would wrestle on the ground, and try to beat each other. I’ve only won once, but I have learned so many things from him. I love him so much because he was a good dad, always helping people. And I want everyone to know that he is the best.”

Coeur d’Alene Police Chief Lee White said Greg was an upstanding cop who has made a lasting impact on his community. Following the service, Greg’s casket was escorted by law enforcement personnel in a procession leading to his final resting place in Forest Cemetery in Coeur d’Alene. Hundreds of people lined the route along Ramsey Road, Northwest Boulevard and Government Way, many holding American flags as they paid their respects.

“Greg was part of a proud profession, and an even prouder police department,” White said. “Greg did things right. He was a leader, he was a supervisor, and he was not satisfied sitting at a desk. In the end, and the reason we’re here today, is that he personified the oath that we take when we raise our right hand and we’re sworn in. Greg was killed protecting the life and property and way of life of the citizens of Coeur d’Alene, Idaho. He will never be forgotten.

“K27, rest in peace, my friend.”